2027 Best Journalism Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for journalism students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Journalism in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Journalism
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Bloomington the best school in the country for a degree in journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 132 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $39,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the journalism program at Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 214 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $40,942 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full journalism details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 44 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $36,303 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans.
See the full journalism program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #4. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 126 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,912 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,985.
More information about a degree in journalism from Michigan State University
Students looking for a strong journalism program will find one at Denison University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Denison University awarded about 13 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from Denison University
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for journalism this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 53 journalism degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $31,955 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,346 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 for journalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,302 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in journalism from Loyola University Chicago
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 123 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $38,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,208.
More information about a degree in journalism from Ohio University Main Campus
Illinois State University came in at #9 for journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 31 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Illinois State University earn around $36,643 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
Read more about the journalism program at Illinois State University
Miami University Oxford earned the #10 position for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $32,840 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in journalism from Miami University Oxford
Marquette University placed #11 among the best journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 20 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Marquette University earn around $38,700 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full journalism program report for Marquette University
Depaul University landed the #12 spot for journalism this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 journalism degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $35,231. Typical student debt for the program is $24,334.
More information about a degree in journalism from Depaul University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #13 for journalism this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 36 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree.
See the full journalism program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #14 spot for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #15 for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 28 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,139 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Kent State University At Kent placed #16 among the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $43,468 in the first couple years of their career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the journalism program at Kent State University At Kent
Ball State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 45 journalism degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $31,398 early in their careers. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $25,675 in student loans.
More information about a degree in journalism from Ball State University
Eastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 10 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
See the full journalism program report for Eastern Illinois University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 17 journalism degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $38,540 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,837 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for journalism this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 10 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $31,753 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
More information about a degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University
Oakland University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 15 journalism degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $35,545. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full journalism program report for Oakland University
Columbia College Chicago came in at #22 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full journalism details for Columbia College Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #23 spot for journalism this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 journalism degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,575. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full journalism program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Washtenaw Community College landed the #24 spot for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 12 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans.
Get the full journalism details for Washtenaw Community College
Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 10 journalism degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $25,033 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full journalism details for Central Michigan University
Rest of the Top 28 Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong journalism education:
Narrow Journalism Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.